Ball-striking implement and method for making same



April 1968v J. J. TROWBRIDGE 3,377,066

2 Sheets- Sheet l Filed Jan. 11, 1965 J. J. TROWBRIDGE April. 9, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan 11, 1965 United States Patent Ofilice 3,377,066 "BALL-STRIKING IMPLEMENT AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAME Jeffrey J. Trowbridge, 319 Elm St, Sheboygan Falls, Wis. 53085 Filed Jan. 11, 1965, Ser. No. 424,633 21 Claims. (Cl. 273-72) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A baseball bat and method ofrnanufacturing the same, including forming a square core of a dense, heavy wood, drilling a plurality of'holes transversely through one end of the core, alternately perpendicular to one another, turning the-other end'to form a handle, glueing square sections of wood on all four sides of the drilled end of the core with the grainof each outside section perpendicular to the core, turning the'built up end to form the barrel of the bat, and-molding a plastic knob on the end ofthe handle.

The present invention relates to a ball-striking instrument and a method of manufacturing the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to a bat for striking a ball and an improved method for manufacturing the same.

In the art of manufacturing bats, particularly baseball and softball bats, a number of mutually contradictory characteristics and requirements are encountered. Accordingly, the prior art attempts to meet these requirements have simply amounted to a balancing of disadvantageous characteristics or a selection of the lesser of two evils.

Obviously, one requirement of a hat of this character is strength. First, it is Well known that the denser, and thus the heavier, the wood utilized to manufacture the bat, the stronger the hat will be. However, the utilization of extremely dense, and thus heavy, woods is ruled out by the fact that the bat normally must be lighter in weight than the weight of a bat made of solid woods of the more dense variety. Therefore, it has been customary in the prior art to select lighter Woods, such as, ash, rather than more dense woods, such as, hickory, thereby sacrificing the strength of the wood to meet the weight requirements. Another solution which has been suggested, in accordance withUnited States Patent 727,359,'isthe removal of a part of the interior of the hat by drilling a'series of longitudinal holes in the body of the bat. While this technique is effective in reducing the weight of the bat, it has numerous disadvantages; including, a greater weakening of the hat than would be effected by using a less dense wood, creation of a noise problem due to echoing in the longitudinal holes and the introduction of manufacturing problems in preventing the holes from being out of line and thus woman the surface at various points.

Also related to the strength requirement is the tendency of wood, because of its natural grain structure, to split or separate either as a result of striking the ball at an angle such that the force causes such separation or simply because of aging and weathering of the bat. One effort to overcome the strength problem caused by the inherent nature of the wood used to manufacture a bat is illustrated in United States'Patent 2,944,820. In accordance with the subject patent a bat is strengthened 'by milling a plurality of longitudinally disposed grooves in the barrel of the bat, perpendicular to the grain of the major portion of the barrel of the bat, and inserting in these slots appropriately shaped slabs of wood. This technique, however, also involves a difficult manufacturing operation, and, although itimproves the strength locally where the slabs are inserted, it actually weakens the portions of the wood between the slabs.

' ideally,

3,377,066 Patented Apr. '9, 1968 Finally, the handle of the bat must be tapered inwardly to provide a gripping surface of substantially smaller diameter than the barrel of the bat and this handle portion represents the weakest portion of the bat. Therefore,

the handle should definitely be made of the strongest Wood possible, but, as previously indicated, if a strong, dense wood is utilized, this will add weight to the bat and make it too heavy/Further, the handle of the bat also normally flares outwardly and terminates in an enlarged knob portion. Accordingly, this enlarged knob portion requires that a block of wood of cross-section substantially larger than the handle of the bat, be employed. Accordingly, in the'formation of the handle, a substantial amount of the wood must be removed to reduce the han- .wood forming the handle of the bat is relatively weak and is prone to split very easily when accidentally dropped.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved ball-striking implement.

It is another object'of the present invention to provide an improved method for manufacturing a ball-striking implement.

.A further object of the present invention is to provide a ball-striking implement of substantially improved strength and durability.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved ball-striking implement utilizing a heavy, dense wood but which is of light weight.

Another and further object of the present invention is to provide an improved ball-striking implement having a novel arrangement of holes formed in the barrel end in order to lighten the implement.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved ball-striking implement having only edge .grairrof the wood exposed on the barrel of the implement.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved ball-striking implement having a novel knob portion on the end of its handle.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved ball-striking implement having a laminated barrel port-ion, including a central core which is only slightly larger than the finished handle portion of the implement.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved method for forming a laminated ball-striking implement wherein the volume of material needed is'substantially reduced.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of manufacturing a ball-striking implement which results in an implement ofhigh strength and lightweight.

These and other objects. and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, when read in conjuction-With the drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view ofthe improved ball-striking implement of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is an end view showing the method of forming the barrel portion of the ball-striking implement of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the core of the ball-striking implement of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illusstrating the structure of the handle and knob portion of the ball-striking implement of FIGURE 1;

FIGURES is an enlarged view of a portion of an alternate core structurefor the ball-striking implement of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 6--6 of FIGURE FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 7-7 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 8-3 of FIGURE 5; and

FIGURE 9 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 9-9 of FIGURE 5.

As was previously pointed out, a bat, particularly one used for baseball or softball, should ideally utilize a wood of high strength. While ash has been used to a great extent and can be used in accordance with the present invention, the present invention makes it possible to use hickory wood of much superior strength. Preferably, the hickory employed in accordance with the present invention is hickory of the shag bark species, rather than pecan hickorys. As indicated previously, hickory derives its strength from the fact that it is extremely dense. However, this density adds to the weight of the final product, which is undesirable. Accordingly, as will be pointed out with reference to the drawings, the present invention provides a method of manufacture and the product of this method in which a core of dense wood, such as hickory, is surrounded by laminations of edge grain wood at the barrel end, a plurality of transverse holes are drilled through the core and a plastic knob is formed on the end of the handle.

FIGURE 1 is a crosssectional view of the improved bat of the present invention, while FIGURE 2 shows the arrangement of the pieces of wood forming the barrel end of the bat prior to turning the bat. Specifically, an elongated core 1 of rectangular cross-section is first cut. Core 1 has the same cross-sectional dimension throughout its len th. Specifically, the cross-sectional dimension of the core should be greater than about 1", and preferably greater than 1 1 but less than about 1%. Where the bat is tobe used as a baseball bat, the core size is preferably 1 /2. This core size is adequate for about 90% of the baseball bats manufactured. However, in about of the cases, the core Will be 1%" in cross-section. Where the bat is to be used for softball, a core dimension of 1%" is required. While specific cross-sectional dimensions have been cited, the core cross-section is selected on the basis of three primary requirements. First, the dimension of core 1 must be sufficient to provide enough material for the flared or dovetail-shaped end 3 of the handle of the bat. Secondly, the core should be sufficiently small that the turned or finished bat will have the hereinafter mentioned edge grain wood extending approximately half the length of the bat. Finally, the core should be sufficiently large to permit the removal of enough material from the barrel end of the core, as .hereinafter more specifically disclosed, to control the utimate weight of the bat.

Formed adjacent the end 5 of core 1, which is destined to be the barrel end of the bat, the core has bored therein a plurality of holes 7. Holes 7 are drilled completely through the core 1, transverse to the central axis of the core, and each alternate hole is drilled penpendicular to the previous hole. Such alternation of the direction of the holes serves several important functions. First, a better balance in the final product is provided than could be obtained by having holes passing through the core in one direction only. Secondly, by alternating the direction of the holes through the core, all four sides of barrel end 5 of core 1 are provided with substantially equal surface areas. As will be pointed out in more detail later, the provision of maximum and equal contact surfaces about barrel end 5 of core 1 contributes to the strength of the bat by providing maximum surface for bonding the hereinafter mentioned edge grain portions of the barrel. Also, by having the holes transverse to the length of core .1, it is possible to remove a substantially greater amount of material, thereby lightening the bat without seriously reducing the strength of the bat. Giving this direcion to the drilled holes and locating the holes in the barrel end 5 as close together as possible and as close to the end as possible, contribute to the strength of the bat, as compared with techniques previously proposed. For example, if holes were drilled longitudinally, as taught in previously mentioned Patent 727,359, a single large diameter hole or a plurality of smaller holes would have to extend far into the handle portion of the bat in order to remove same amount of material as the transverse holes of the present invention. This would, of course, weaken the bat in that portion which is already weakest; namely, the handle portion. In addition, as previously indicated, such longitudinal holes cause a noise problem in the bat and are most difficult to form.

Holes 7 are also generally decreased in diameter from barrel end 5 toward handle portion 9. This decrease in diameter is preferred so that the minimum thickness of wood outside the last hole adjacent handle portion 9 will be about A1". It is also desirable in arranging the size and placement of holes 7 to have the holes as close together as possible without actually communicating with one another. In the preferred instance, 6 holes of about 1%" in diamer are formed adjacent barrel end 5; thereafter, 2 holes of approximately 1" in diameter are formed, and finally, 2 more holes of about '%i in diameter in the barrel portion adjacent handle portion 9. This, of course, is based upon having a core 1 whose cross-section is 1 /2". As indicated, the size of the holes is dictated by the amount of weight which is to be removed. Generally, about 25 to 35% of the weight of core 1 will be removed by the drilling of hole 7 or, stated differently, about to of the weight of the entire bat.

As is clearly shown in FIGURE 2 of the drawings, the enlarged barrel portion of the bat is formed by bonding pairs of slabs of wood 11 and 13, respectively, about the exterior of barrel end 5 of core 1. As previously indicated, the arrangement and sizing of holes 7 in core 1 is such that all four sides of core I]. have substantially the same exposed surface area and, therefore, a tight bond of equal strength can be obtained on all four sides. In addition, it is well known that presently available resinous glues form a bond which is actually stronger than the original wood. Consequently, the reduction of gluing area caused by the formation of holes 7 is compensated to a certain extent by the glue bond. The gluing operation itself preferably utilizes a ureaor phenol-formaldehyde resin, although phenol-resorcinol and straight resorcinol resins may also be used. The preferable formaldehydetype resin is urea-formaldehyde because of its much faster drying time and ease of application. Specifically, glue is applied to one piece of the wood and catalyst to the other. Thereafter, the two react and dry while clamped together under pressure. It has been found that clamping at a pressure of 200 lbs. per square inch for about minutes will produce an excellent bond when utilizing urea-formaldehyde. The urea-formaldehyde is also resistant to wear and thus capable of withstanding normal outdoor use.

The slabs are preferably of the same wood as core 1 so that both contract and expand by equal amounts due to changes in temperature or moisture. Slabs 11 and 13 are cut in a manner such that the grain is parallel to the thickness of the slab so that when the slab is placed on core 1 only edge grain of the wood will be exposed to the barrel of the bat. This exposure of edge grain around the entire barrel portion contributes considerably to the strength of the bat, preventing premature splitting, etc. In addition, by providing the edge grain-strength surrounding the core, one is permitted to utilize a relatively small piece of core material. Slabs 11 and 13 are just thick enough that when the slabs are placed about core 1 the cross-sectional dimension will be just slightly greater than the maximum diameter of the barrel of the finished bat after the turning operation has been performed. In

the present case, where a core diameter of about 1 /2 is used, the slabs are about one-third this dimension, or, specifically, just slightly greater than /2". Slabs L1 and 13 are approximately equal to one-half of the length of core 1, thus providing edge grain-wood for the entire length of the barrel or striking portion of the bat. Slabs 11 are approximately the same width as core 1' and form a rectangle therewith and slabs 13 are wider by an amount approximately equal to the thickness of a single slab so that the sides of slabs 13 will overlap about half way over the edges of slabs 11. It is to be recognized that this greater width is necessary to permit turning of the assemblage to produce a round bat with as little waste of material as possible and to provide a substantial thickness of edge grain-wood about the entire barrel. It should also be recognized that slabs 1:1 and 13, particularly the latter, may be made up of several pieces, for reasons of economy, so long as the assembled slabs present edge grain as specified.

After slabs 11 and 13 have been glued to barrel portion 5 of core 1, the entire bat is turned to form the enlarged barrel portion of one end which gradually tapers inwardly toward the opposite end to form handle portion 9, and finally flares outwardly to form terminal end 3 of handle 9. It is to be recognized at this point that it has been necessary to remove very little of core 1 to form the thinnest portion (adjacent the center) of handle portion 9. This, of course, results in a substantial saving in material. This reduction in the amount of material removed to form handle portion '9 is made possible by both the edge grain-laminations about the barrel portion of the bat and the novel knob 15 formed on terminal end 3 of handle portion 9;. By forming knob 15 separately from the main body of the bat, and particularly the cone section 1, one is permitted to utilize a small core and also to provide a much stronger handle end 3, as well as knob 15. It is to be noted that in its preferred form end .3 of handle portion 9 is flared slightly to form a dovetail-shaped end. This dovetail-shaped end not only helps to hold knob 15 on the bat, when knob 15 is held on under pressure, but also adds strength to the entire handle portion 9 of the bat by holding end 3 under compression. It is to be noted that dovetail portion 3 has a maximum diameter substantially equal to the original maximum cross-sectional dimension of core 1.

Knob 15 is preferably formed of plastic and, more specifically, a plastic which will shrink a small amount upon hardening. This slight shrinkage of the plastic, as well as the dovetailed structure of end 3, results in an extremely tight bond between the plastic and the end 3, thus preventing knob 15 from being pulled or knocked oh, and also holds the end 3 under compression, thereby contrib uting to the strengthof handle portion 9 of the bat. As a matter of fact, this particular construction permits one to form knob 15 on end 3 without the necessity of gluing. Because of cost, ease of handling and toughness of the cured plastic, polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene are preferred for the formation of knob 15. Knob 15 is formed by preparing suitable die blocks of the shape of knob 15 and adapted to receive end 3 of the bat. End 3 of the bat is then clamped into a suitable pressure injection molding apparatus having the die block therein. The plastic, which normally is sold powdered form and is thermoplastic, is then melted in the heating cylinder of the molding apparatus and is forced into the die cavity under pressure. The material is then permitted to cool to a solid plastic. Knob 15 may be varied in size and shape without departing from the present invention.

FIGURES 5 through 9 show an alternate core structure method of reducing the weight of barrel portion 5 of elongated core 1. Specifically, Weight control holes 17 are drilled into barrel portion 5 from each side of barrel portion 5 and adjacent alternate corners of the core such that an interior web section 19 having outstanding strength characteristics remains. More specifically, assuming that core 5 is 1 /2 square, holes 17, in diameter and deep, are drilled. The first hole 17 has its central axis from one edge of barrel portion 5 and then each successive hole on the remaining sides of barrel portion 5 is A from the nearest edge moving in a clockwise direction. If a cross section through the center lines of the 4 holes 17 is taken, as shown in FIGURES 6 and 7, the thinnest portion of web 19 is about and the thickest portion, in the center and on the outside edges is 7 Accordingly, Web 19, as shown in FIGURES 6 and 7, has a swastikashape configuration. It is, of course, obvious that the web portion 19, at the planes illustrated in FIGURES 6 and 7, is the narrowest web portion, since the holes 17 are cylindrical. Each successive set of holes 17 is drilled on a plane about inch from the plane passing through the centerlines of the set on either side and is oriented so that the holes on any one side are alternated from one edge to the other. Finally, a second series of holes 21 is drilled in the center of alternate sides of barrel portion 5 as the handle portion 9 is approached. Holes 21 are the same size as holes 17 and differ from holes 17 only in the fact that they are drilled on the central axis of barrel portion 5 and are diilled from two opposing sides only. Each successive set of holes 21 is alternated with respect to the sides from which they are drilled, as shown in FIGURES 6, 8 and 9. This reduction in the number of holes 21 drilled in barrel portion 5 near the handle portion 9, of course, adds strength where edge slabs 11 and 13 will eventually be thinnest. By the same token, holes 17 and 21 remove substantially the same amount of weight as is removed by drilling the holes 7, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 3. The configuration of holes 17 and 21 provides more structural strength than the variation referred to previously. Also, it should be recognized that by making all of holes 17 and 21 the same size rather than graduating the size of the holes, as in FIGURES 1 and 3, some reduction in the cost of manufacture can be realized.

It will be obvious from the above that various modifications and variations of the present invention will occur to one skilled in the art. Accordingly, the specific examples given herein are illustrative only and the present invention is to be limited only in accordance with the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A bat for striking a ball, comprising:

(a) an elongated core of hickory wood, including:

(b) a barrel portion comprising about half the length of said core and about 1 /2" square;

(c) said barrel portion having formed therethrough,

at spaced points along said barrel portion, a plurality of circular holes transverse to the central axis of said core and the axis of each of said holes being perpendicular to the axes of the immediately adjacent holes;

((1) said holes being located as near to the terminal end of said barrel portion as possible, and as close to one another as possible, without communicating with one another;

(c) said holes also having a diameter of about 1%" adjacent said terminal end of said barrel portion and diminishing to V8" in diameter adjacent the center of said core; and

(f) a cylindrical handle portion formed on the remaining half of the core;

(g) said handle portion having a diameter adjacent said barrel portion, substantially equal to the crosssectional dimension of said barrel portion, then gradually tapering inwardly to a diameter of about 1'' near the center section of said handle portion and, thereafter, tapering outwardly to a diameter substantially equal to the cross-sectional dimension of said barrel portion at a point adjacent the terminal end of said handle portion;

(h) said terminal end of said handle portion also having a generally dovetailed shape;

(i) a first pair of elongated slabs of hickory wood, substantially equal in length to said barrel portion of said core and about equal in width to said barrel portion, having fiat sides glued to opposing sides of said core;

(j) said first pair of slabs having arcuate outside surfaces with their maximum thicknesses near the terminal end of said barrel portion and gradually diminishing in thickness toward the center of said core to generally conform to the curvature of said handle portion near the center of the core;

(k) said maximum thickness of said first slabs being about one-third the cross-sectional dimension of said barrel portion and the grain of the wood of said first slabs running in the direction of the thickness of said slabs to present the edge of the grain at the exterior of the arcuate surfaces;

(1) a portion of the edges of said first slabs, near the terminal end of said barrel portion, being fiat and coincident with the other opposing sides of said barrel portion;

(in) a second pair of elongated slabs of hickory wood, substantially equal in length to said barrel portion of said core, having fiat sides glued to said other opposing sides of said core;

(n) said second pair of slabs having arcuate outside surfaces with their maximum thicknesses near the terminal end of said barrel portion and gradually diminishing in thickness; toward the center of said core;

() said maximum thickness of said second pair of slabs being about one-third the cross-sectional dimension of said core and the grain of the wood of said second slabs running in the direction of the thickness of said slabs to present the edge of the grain at the exterior of the arcuate surfaces;

(p) said second pair of slabs together with the arcuate portions of said first pair of slabs forming a substantially cylindrical barrel portions, having its maximum diameter adjacent the terminal end of said barrel portion and gradually diminishing to a diameter equal to the diameter of said handle portion, adjacent the center of said core; and

(q) a round knob element formed about the dovetailed end of said handle portion by pressure injection molding of a thermoplastic resin which contracts slightly upon hardening.

2. A method of manufacturing a bat for striking a ball,

comprising:

(a) cutting an elongated core of hickory wood about 1 /2" square:

(-b) drilling a plurality of circular holes through said cores, at spaced points along one end of said core and transverse the axis of said core;

(c) each of said holes having its axis perpendicular to the axes of immediately adjacent holes;

(d) said holes being as close to said one end of said core as possible and as close to one another as possible without communicating with one another;

(e) those of said holes adjacent the said one end of said core being about 1 /8 in diameter and diminishing in diameter to 4; adjacent the center of said core;

(f) cutting a first pair of rectangular, elongated slabs of hickory wood about one-half the length of said core, about equal in width to the cross-sectional dimension of said core and of a thickness about onethird the cross-sectional dimension of said core;

(g) cutting a second pair of rectangular, elongated slabs of hickory wood about one-half the length of said core, about equal in width to the cross-sectional dimension of said core plus the thickness of one of said first pair of slabs and of a thickness about onethird the cross-Sectional dimension of said core;

(b) said first and second slabs having their grain running in the direction of the thickness of said slabs;

(i) gluing said first pair of slabs to that end of said core having said holes and on opposing sides of said core with the edges of said slabs coincident with the other opposing sides of said core;

(j) gluing said second pair of slabs to said ends of said core having said holes and on said other opposing sides of said core With the sides of said second pair of slabs overlapping the edges of said first pair of slabs;

(k) turning the assembled core and slabs to form a cylindrical bat body, including, a barrel portion whose terminal end is substantially equal in diameter to the thickness of one pair of slabs plus the cross-sectional dimension of said core, then gradually diminishes in diameter toward a handle portion, beginning adjacent the center of the bat, and said handle portion diminishing in diameter to about 1 adjacent the center section of said handle portion and thereafter gradually increasing in diameter toward the terminal end of said handle portion to a diameter substantially equal to the cross-sectional dimension of said core, and finally, terminating in a dovetail-shaped end; and

(1) pressure injection molding a thermoplastic resin which contracts slightly on hardening about said dovetail-shaped end to form a generally rounded, enlarged plastic knob on said terminal end of said handle.

3. A ball-striking implement, comprising:

(a) an elongated, solid core of Wood, including,

(b) a handle portion of generally cylindrical configuration formed on one end of said core; and

(c) a barrel portion of substantially flat 4-sided configuration formed on the other end of said core;

(d) said barrel portion having a plurality of holes formed therein, transverse to the axis of said core;

(e) a plurality of elongated slabs of wood bonded about the exterior surface of said barrel portion;

(f) said slab sections being generally cylindrical in configuration and having the edge of the grain of said slabs exposed at the surface of said cylinder; and

(g) a generally rounded, enlarged knob bonded about and overlapping a portion of the terminal end of said handle portion of said core.

4. An implement in accordance with claim 3 wherein the core and the slabs are made of the same wood.

5. An implement in accordance with claim 4 wherein the core and the slabs are made of hickory wood.

6. An implement in accordance with claim 3 wherein the barrel portion of the core is substantially square in cross-section.

7. An implement in accordance with claim 6 wherein the barrel portion of the core is slightly greater in crosssectional dimension than the diameter of the largest part of the handle section.

8. An implement in accordance with claim 6 wherein the core has a cross-sectional dimension between about 1" and 1%".

9. An implement in accordance with claim 3 wherein each of the holes formed in the core has its axis perpendicular to the axes of immediately adjacent holes.

'10. An implement in accordance with claim 3 wherein the holes are as close to the terminal end of barrel portion as possible, and as close to one another as possible, without communicating with one another.

11. An implement in accordance with claim 3 wherein four slabs are bonded about the barrel portion and sides of one opposing pair of said slabs partially overlaps the edges of the other pair of slabs near the terminal end of the. barrel portion.

12. An implement in accordance with claim 3 wherein the terminal end of the handle portion flares outwardly.

13. An implement in accordance with claim 3 wherein the terminal end of the handle portion is dovetailed in shape.

14. An implement in accordance with claim 3 wherein the knob is formed of plastic.

15. An implement in accordance with claim 14 wherein the plastic is thermoplastic which shrinks slightly upon hardening.

16. A method of manufacturing a ball-striking implement, comprising:

(a) cutting a solid, elongated core of wood;

(b) drilling a plurality of holes through said core, spaced along one end of said core and transverse to the axis of said core;

(c) bonding a plurality of slabs of wood about that end of said core containing said holes in a manner such that the edge of the grain of said slabs is exposed at the exterior surfaces of said slabs;

(d) turning said assembled core and slabs to form a generally cylindrical barrel portion having its maximum diameter adjacent the terminal end of said barrel portion and diminishing in diameter to a minimum diameter in the handle portion to form said handle portion from said solid core; and

(e) bonding a generally rounded, enlarged knob about and overlapping a portion of the terminal end of said handle portion.

17. A method in accordance with claim 16 wherein the slabs are bonded to the core by applying pressure to a urea-formaldehyde resin.

18. A ball-striking implement, comprising:

(a) an elongated, solid core of wood, including:

(b) a handle portion of generally cylindrical configuration formed on one end of said core; and

(c) a barrel portion of substantially flat 4-sided configuration formed on the other end of said core;

(d) said barrel portion having a plurality of holes formed therein, transverse to the axis of said core;

(e) a plurality of elongated slabs of wood bonded about the exterior surface of said barrel portion; and

(f) said slab sections being generally cylindrical in configuration and having the grain of said sla'bs generally perpendicular to the flat sides of the barrel portion.

19. An implement in accordance with claim 18 wherein at least some of the holes are drilled from each side of the core adjacent alternate corners thereof and said holes are of a size and are oriented such that a swastika-shaped web of wood remains between said holes after said holes are drilled.

20. A method of manufacturing a ball-striking implement comprising:

(a) cutting an elongated, solid core of wood;

(-b) drilling a plurality of holes into said core, spaced along one end of said core and transverse to the axis of said core;

(c) bonding a plurality of slabs of wood about that end of said core containing said holes in a manner such that the grain of said sla-bs is generally perpendicular to the surfaces of said core; and

(d) turning said assembled core and slabs to form a generally cylindrical barrel portion having it maximum diameter adjacent the terminal end of said barrel portion and diminishing in diameter to a minimum diameter in the handle portion to form said handle portion from said solid core.

21. A method in accordlance with claim 20 wherein at least some of the holes are drilled from each side of the core adjacent corners thereof and said holes are of a size and are oriented such that a swastika-shaped web of wood remains between said holes after said holes are drilled.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 727,359 5/1903 Held 273-72 1,549,803 8/1925 Rastetter 273-72 1,949,325 2/1934 Paul 273-6'7 2,246,411 6/1941 Kraft 273-82 2,446,213 8/1948 Clark et al. 273-82 2,568,274 9/1951 Clark 27382 2,654,606 10/1953 Stearns et a1 273-82 692,970 2/1902 Zaehringer 273-68 2,629,596 2/1953 Luedtke 273-82 FOREIGN PATENTS 13,912 1886 Great Britain.

ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner. R. I APLEY, Assistant Examiner. 

